Mason County
MI · Pop. 29,177 · Suburban County
Mason County sits in Michigan across 495 square miles, home to 29,177 people at 58.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. A median home price of $199,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.11% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F and average winter lows of 20°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 70.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $199,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A median household income of $62,296 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- A 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 70.1% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Mason County, MI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $199k
- Property tax
- 1.11%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.2"
- Broadband
- 70.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, 0.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mason County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mason County?
- Mason County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F, and average winter lows of 20°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $199,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 70.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Michigan Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Michigan
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The closest counties to Mason County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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